Container lid having a pressure equalizing device

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a lid ( 100 ) of a container, in particular a beverage can, comprising a pouring opening ( 103 ), which can be closed by means of a closure element ( 120 ), which can be moved from a closed position into an open position by way of an actuating element ( 110 ), wherein a pressure equalizing device having a pressure equalizing opening ( 123 ) is provided, which interacts with the actuating element ( 110 ). When the actuating element ( 110 ) is in the closed position, a closing element for closing the pressure equalizing opening ( 123 ) releases the pressure equalizing opening ( 123 ) when moving the actuating element ( 110 ) from the closed position to the open position. The closing element is designed as a tube element ( 124 ) made of flexible material and is connected to the pressure equalizing opening ( 123 ). The tube element ( 124 ) is closed in a gas-tight and/or fluid-tight manner by way of a reversible cross-sectional constriction when the actuating element ( 110 ) is in the closed position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a National Stage Application of PCTInternational Application No. PCT/EP2010/063097 (tiled on Sep. 7, 2010),under 35 U.S.C. §371, which claims priority to Austrian PatentApplication No, A 1403/2009 (filed on Sep. 7, 2009), which are eachhereby incorporated by reference in their respective entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a lid of a container, especially a beveragecan, having a substantially flat lid surface and at least one pouringopening arranged on the lid surface, which pouring opening can be closedin a gas-tight and/or fluid-tight manner by way of at least one closureelement, with the closure element being movable via an actuating elementfrom a closed position to an open position, and at least one pressureequalizing device with at least one pressure equalizing opening isprovided which cooperates with the actuating element, with at least oneclosure element being provided for closing the pressure equalizingopening during the position of the actuating element in the closedposition, and the at least one pressure equalizing opening can beexposed upon movement of the actuating element from the closed positionto the open position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Containers, especially beverage cans, are mostly filled with carbonatedbeverages, whereby the pressure within the beverage can may get up to 6bars. When such pressurized containers are opened by means of a pulltab, for example, there will be a sudden drop in pressure within thecan, with fluid frequently spraying out of the can. Since this suddenpressure equalization is undesirable due to the likelihood of soiling,devices were developed which should prevent this.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,262 A describes a lid for a beverage can, having anauxiliary lid with air holes being provided above an opening lid. Theauxiliary lid serves to prevent the content of the can from spraying outthrough the auxiliary lid when opening the beverage can by pressing theopening lid into the can. The auxiliary lid needs to be removedsubsequently for emptying the beverage can.

A further possibility to reduce the sudden venting of a beverage can isgradually exposing the opening of the can. Such a procedure withassociated lid closure is described in WO 2007/128810 A1. In this case,a base plate is gradually lowered over a cam profile step-by-step duringthe opening of the can in order to expose the opening of the can.

Moreover, a rotary closure for a foodstuff container is described in EP1 708 930 B1, and includes a pressure equalizing device which isrealized as a pressure equalizing opening in the can closure which isexposed upon opening the can.

EP 1 796 974 B1 discloses a closing apparatus for a beverage containerof the kind mentioned hereinabove in which an actuating element isprovided which includes a fixing and a sliding element in order toexpose and reseal a drinking opening. The disadvantageous aspect in thisapparatus is its complex configuration and its insufficient tightness inpractice after the first opening especially over a prolonged period oftime.

The solutions described in the state of the art either offer onlylimited protection against outward spurting of the content of the can orare extremely complicated and are therefore arranged in a very expensiveway.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore the object of the invention to eliminate theaforementioned disadvantages of the state of the art and to provide alid for a container which enables secure venting during the opening ofthe container.

This object is achieved in accordance with the invention by a lid of thekind mentioned hereinabove in such a way that the at least one closureelement is arranged as a tube element made of a flexible material and isconnected to the at least one pressure equalizing opening, with the tubeelement being closed in a gas-tight and/or fluid-tight manner by way ofa reversible cross-sectional constriction when the at least oneactuating element is in the closed position. The longitudinal axis ofthe tube element can extend in this case normally to the lid surfaceplane or substantially parallel to the same. Beverage cans and, inconnection with this, their closure devices must withstand highpressures in the interior of the can. As a result, pressures of 6 barsand greater are produced in the pasteurization following after thefilling and closing of the beverage can, which pressures must bewithstood especially by the pressure equalizing device. A similarsituation occurs the storage of beverage cans in a hot environment at50° C. and more (e.g. in a vehicle exposed to the sun).

In the lid in accordance with the invention it is especially preferablyprovided that the tube element is bent over during the movement of theactuating element to the closed position, thereby facilitating theclosing and opening of the closure device. The bending of the tubeelement exerts a high closing pressure on the pressure equalizingopening, which opening withstands high internal pressures of thebeverage can occurring especially temporarily or permanently. At thesame time, the overall height of the closure device remains very lowbecause the elements of the closure device in accordance with theinvention can be kept very small with respect to their dimensions. Inparticular, it does not protrude beyond the beaded edge of the beveragecan, which is exceptionally undesirable in the beverage industry forproduction reasons.

It is especially preferably provided that the tithe element can besealed via an operating element which cooperates with the actuatingelement. The operating element usually represents the connecting memberbetween the actuating element which is used by the user for opening andresealing the beverage can in particular and the closure element whichseals the pouring opening in the closed position in a gas-tight and thefluid-tight manner. It is preferably provided in this case that theoperating element is formed in such a way that it acts directly orindirectly on the tube element.

In an especially preferred embodiment of the invention, the operatingelement includes at least one deflection element which seals the tubeelement in the closed position of the actuating element. The deflectionelement which is especially made from an at least slightly elasticmaterial acts in a resilient or rigid manner on the tube element andseals it by cross-sectional constriction right up to bending of the tubeelement.

An especially simple configuration of the closure device is obtainedwhen the actuating element and the operating element are integrallyarranged and are preferably made of plastic.

As an alternative to this, the operating element is in detachableconnection with the actuating element, which simplifies substantiallythe mounting of the closure device.

A resealable closure device which is especially easy to open and has alow overall height especially for beverage cans is obtained when the atleast one actuating element is displaceable in a substantially linearand parallel manner in relation to the lid. As an alternative to this,the at least one actuating element is twistable relative to the lidsurface.

A closure element is provided for closing the pouring opening which ispivotable in an especially preferred way substantially vertically withrespect to the lid. In this case, the pressure equalizing opening isespecially arranged in the actuating element, with preferably thepressure equalizing opening having a seal which is in connection with acircumferential seal of the closure element. The circumferential seal ofthe closure element is provided for preventing any leakage of fluidand/or gas, especially carbonic acid, in the closed position of theclosure element.

Simple production of the closure element is enabled when the seal of thepressure equalizing opening is integrally arranged with thecircumferential seal of the closure element, especially by means of asuitable two-component injection molding method.

The lid in accordance with the invention is especially suitable forcontainers whose pouring opening is resealable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained below in closer detail by reference tonon-limiting embodiments shown in the drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1 to 1 g illustrate a first embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 2 to 5 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a sixth embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 to 1 g illustrate a first embodiment of the invention. A lid 100with a lid surface 101 and a beaded edge 102 as provided in beveragecans, for example, is provided. The lid 100 has a pouring opening 103which is sealable and exposable by a closure element 120 arrangedbeneath the lid surface 101. The closure element 120 seals the pouringopening 103 in a gas-type and fluid-tight manner when an actuatingelement 110 which is in connection with the closure element 120 is inthe closed position as illustrated in FIG. 1 a to FIG. 1 e.

The closure element 120 includes a receiver 121 for an operating element111 cooperating with the actuating element 110, in which the operatingelement 111 can be moved along a run-up slope 122.

A tube element 124 is provided in the receiver 121, which tube element124 is in connection with a pressure equalizing opening 123 in theclosure element 120. When the actuating element 110 is in the closedposition (FIG. 1 a, FIG. 1 e), the tube element 124, which is made of aflexible material, is bent over by a deflection element 112 arranged onthe operating element 111 in such a way (FIG. 1 b, FIG. 1 e) that thecross section of the tube element 124 is changed and the connection ofthe pressure equalizing opening 123 with the surrounding environment ofthe container is thereby interrupted (FIG. 1 e). This onefold or evenmultiple folding leads to a gas-tight and fluid-tight sealing of thepressure equalizing opening 123.

The tube element 124 is arranged in this embodiment on the run-up slope122 of the closure element 120. The folded tube element 124 is releasedat first by the deflection element 112 of the operating element 111 bymoving the actuating element 110 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1e, so that thereupon the tube element 124 will rise up as a result ofits elastic properties and the pressure equalizing opening 123 isreleased thereby (FIG. 1 f) without opening the pouring opening 103.Pressure equalization of the pressurized beverage can occur in thismanner with the surrounding environment without the content of the canspurting out because the actuating element 110 optionally acts again asspurting protection.

Only following further movement of the actuating element 110 will thepouring opening 103 be finally released by the pivoting of the closureelement 120 (FIG. 1 g), with a lower force being required as a result ofthe preceding pressure equalization for the exposure of the drinkingopening than if the container were still pressurized.

FIGS. 2 to 5 illustrate a second variant of the invention. FIG. 2 showsa preferred. embodiment of the actuating element 110, which is arrangedas a two-part slide, with the pouring opening 103 and the pressureequalizing opening 123 being sealed in this illustration.

For opening the beverage can, a fixing element 110 a needs to be liftedor pivoted (FIGS. 3 and 4) in order to subsequently vent the can bydisplacing a sliding element 110 e and, consequently, the displacementof the operating element 111, and to expose the pouring opening 103simultaneously or in a further step (FIG. 5 and FIG. 6).

A pressure equalizing opening 123 is arranged in the closure element120, which pressure equalizing opening 123 includes an elastic seal 130which seals the pressure equalizing opening 123 and which is integrallymade of elastic material with a circumferential seal 131 of the closureelement 120. The tube element 124 which is also made of elastic materialis sealed by a deflection element 112 of the operating element 111 whenthe actuating element 110 is in the closed position (FIG. 2). It can beprovided in this case, for example, that the deflection element 112 ispressed against the tube element 124 via guide elements such aselevations on the surface of the closure element 120. The tube element124 is compressed or folded over, thus producing a gas-tight andfluid-tight closure of the pressure equalizing opening.

During the opening of the closure device of the container, the operatingelement 111 is displaced in such a way that the deflection element 112is moved away from the tube element 124, so that it is expanded or risesup again as a result of its elastic properties, so that the pressureequalizing opening 123 will come into contact with the surroundingenvironment and pressure equalization can occur.

In an especially preferred embodiment of the invention, the venting ofthe beverage can occurs already before the displacement of the actuatingelement 110, so that the closure element 120 still remains in the closedposition during the venting process. A pin 110 b of the fixing element110 a latches in the closed position of the actuating element 110 into areceiver 125 of the closure element 120 in direct vicinity of thepressure equalizing opening 123, as a result of which the deflectionelement 112 is slightly bent and is pressed against the tube element124, and the same is subsequently sealed in the manner as explainedabove, in particular folded. over (not shown).

When fixing element 110 a is lifted according to the arrow in FIG. 3,the pin 110 b is pulled out of the receiver 125 and the deflectionelement 112 is released.

FIG. 3 a illustrates the closure device in accordance with the inventionin a top view, with the illustration of the lid surface 101 and theactuating element 110 being omitted in the drawing for the purpose ofimproved clarity of the configuration. This illustration shows the statein which the fixing element 110 a has already been lifted, so that thedeflection element 112, which has a specific elasticity, is alignedupwardly in a straight manner and the pressure equalizing opening 123has been released again.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate how as a result of the displacement of thesliding element 110 c of the actuating element 110 the pouring opening103 is released, while simultaneously the closure element 120 is pivotedinto the interior of the can, which is thus allows the container to beemptied.

FIG. 6 illustrates a third variant of the invention in analogy to FIG. 3a, with the operating element 111 having two deflection elements 112,112′ which act upon the tube element 124 in the closed position of theactuating element 110. In this respect, the two deflection elements 112,112′ are moved against the tube element 124 by latching the two pins 110c of the fixing element 110 a into the receivers 125, 125′, by means ofwhich there is a cross-sectional constriction of the tube element 124and thereby a sealing of the pressure equalizing opening 123.

It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments asdescribed above. It is relevant to the invention that the pressureequalizing opening is in connection with the tube element made ofelastic material, which in the closed position of the actuating elementseals the pressure equalizing opening in the closed position of theactuating element in a gas-tight and fluid-tight manner, even under highpressures. It is not necessary that the deflection elements of theoperating element as described above are used for this purpose. It canalso be provided that the actuating element acts directly on the tubeelement or that the actuating element and the operating element arearranged integrally.

Although embodiments have been described herein, it should be understoodthat numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised bythose skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope ofthe principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variationsand modifications are possible in the component parts and/orarrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope ofthe disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition tovariations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements,alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A lid of a container, the lid comprising: asubstantially flat lid surface; at least one pouring opening arranged onthe lid surface; at least one closure element configured to seal the atleast one pouring opening in at least one of a gas-tight and afluid-tight manner; an actuating element operatively connected to the atleast one closure element and movable between a closed position whichcauses the at least one closure element to seal the at least one pouringopening, and an open position which causes the at least one closureelement to unseal the at least one pouring opening; at least onepressure equalizing device having at least one pressure equalizingopening which cooperates with the actuating element; wherein: the atleast one closure element closes the at least one pressure equalizingopening when the actuating element is in the closed position; the atleast one pressure equalizing opening is exposed upon movement of theactuating element from the closed position to the open position; the atleast one closure element is arranged as a tube element made of aflexible material and is connected to the at least one pressureequalizing opening, the tube element being closed in at least one of agas-tight and a fluid-tight manner by way of a reversiblecross-sectional constriction when the actuating element is in the closedposition.
 13. A lid of claim 12, further comprising an operating elementconfigured to close the tube element and which cooperates with theactuating element.
 14. A lid of claim 13, wherein the operating elementcomprises at least one deflection element configured to seal the tubeelement when actuating element is in the closed position.
 15. A lid ofclaim 13, wherein the operating element is in detachable connection withthe actuating element.
 16. A lid of claim 13, wherein the actuatingelement and the operating element are formed integrally as a singlecomponent.
 17. A lid of claim 16, wherein the actuating element and theoperating element are composed of plastic.
 18. A lid of claim 12,wherein the actuating element is movable in a substantially linearmanner and parallel to the lid surface.
 19. A lid of claim 12, whereinthe actuating element is twistable in relation to the lid surface.
 20. Alid of claim 12, wherein the at least one closure element can be pivotedsubstantially vertically with respect to the lid.
 21. A lid of claim 12,wherein the pressure equalizing opening comprises a seal.
 22. A lid ofclaim 21, wherein the at least one closure element includes acircumferential seal.
 23. A lid of claim 22, wherein the seal of thepressure equalizing opening is in connection with the circumferentialseal.
 24. A lid of claim 23, wherein the seal of the pressure equalizingopening is made integrally with the circumferential seal.
 25. A lid ofclaim 12, wherein the at least one pouring opening is resealable.
 26. Alid of a container, the lid comprising: a lid surface having a pouringopening; a closure element arranged beneath the lid surface andconfigured to and unseal the pouring opening and seal the pouringopening in at least one of a gas-tight and a fluid-tight manner; a tubeelement received by the closure element, the tube element being composedof a flexible material and having a tube opening having across-sectional area, the tube opening being in communication with thepouring opening; an actuating element having a operating elementextending therefrom and a deflection element arranged on the operatingelement, wherein the actuating element is movable relative to the tubeelement between a first position which causes the deflection element toengage the tube element and reduces the cross sectional area of the tubeopening to thereby seal the pouring opening, and a second position whichcauses the deflection element to disengage the tube element to therebyunseal the pouring opening.
 27. A lid of claim 26, wherein the operatingelement is in detachable connection with the actuating element.
 28. Alid of claim 26, wherein the actuating element and the operating elementare formed integrally as a single component.
 29. A lid of claim 26,wherein the actuating element and the operating element are composed ofplastic.
 30. A lid of claim 26, wherein the actuating element is movablein a substantially linear manner and parallel to the lid.
 31. A lid ofclaim 26, wherein the pouring opening is resealable.